Familiar faces will be reunited when Stoke welcome Liverpool to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, with Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy both set for their respective debuts.

Former Reds striker Crouch became Tony Pulis' record signing on transfer deadline day after leaving Tottenham in a £10million deal and he is expected to start this weekend.

The 30-year-old, who played for Liverpool between 2005 and 2008, will therefore be playing against a number of ex-team-mates, but could also be in opposition to one he did not expect.

Wales international Bellamy was also on the move on deadline day, when he left Manchester City on a free transfer to return to Anfield, where he spent the 2006/07 season alongside Crouch.

Stoke tried to sign Bellamy in 2010, but missed out as the ex-Blackburn and Newcastle player moved back to Cardiff on loan and they will consequently be well aware of his talents.

Pulis tends to be a busy man in transfer windows and particularly towards deadline day, with this year no exception as Wilson Palacios and Cameron Jerome joined Crouch in arriving on the final day of August.Centre of attention

The Stoke boss will run the rule over the new recruits to see if they are fit enough to make their bows, but it is expected they will feature as his side aim to ensure Liverpool have still to ever win at the Britannia in the league.

Marc Wilson and Rory Delap (both hamstring) will also be assessed ahead of kick-off, when Stoke will aim to maintain their unbeaten season to date in the Premier League and Europa League.

Liverpool, who are not playing in Europe this campaign, have also yet to suffer defeat after a frustrating opening day draw with Sunderland was followed by league wins over Arsenal and Bolton, while Exeter were knocked out of the Carling Cup.

Manager Kenny Dalglish is only expected to name Bellamy as a substitute and he could be tempted to recall Andy Carroll to face Stoke's physical centre-backs after dropping the striker for the victory over Bolton.

Carroll has been at the centre of attention after his lifestyle was questioned by England boss Fabio Capello, but Dalglish has defended his record signing and the £35million man could partner Liverpool's Player of the Month, Luis Suarez.

Captain Steven Gerrard is edging ever closer to returning from the groin injury which has left him unavailable since March, while Charlie Adam is over the hip injury he suffered on international duty and Glen Johnson (thigh) is back in full training.